Traffic regulating device



April 25, 1933- H. J. GECHTER 1,905,378

TRAFFIC REGULATING DEVICE Filed July 5, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet l //vv.4-7v roe HERMAA/JGR-HTH? alawi .2 I 4 April 25, 1933. J GECHTER 1,905,378

TRAFFIC REGULATING DEVICE Filed July 5, 1929' 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 14' 56 55 6 9 96.5 4 Y 3 /A/VE/V7OA- 58 45 HEAMAIYJGW April 25; 1933. J GECHTER 1,905,378

TRAFFIC REGULATING DEVICE Filed July 5, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 v April 25, 1933.

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H. J. GECHTER TRAFFIC REGULATING DEVICE Filed July 5, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Apr. 2531933 I 7' v UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE I Imam J. encn'maos onnvntama, onro v TRAFFIC museum-me DEVICE v Application filed m 1929. Serial No. 375,931.

My invention pertains to a traffic regulatmore. accurately gaged at long distances and ing device and more particularly to an appli- "furthermore, that neon gas lights endure ance of that Character for visually indicating longer than ordinary incandescent lamps the determinable time remaining during hence do not have to be so often changed, an

5 which trafiic may continue past it. therefore minimize an interrupted trafiic 5b.

Traflic re ulating lights have in the last regulation. Incidentally, neon gas-lights are years been eveloped to approach standardmuch more economical in respect to current iz-ation by employing incandescent lamps in consumptionand their initial cost becomes front of reflectors or by sending their light almost negligible, considering the savings inthrough colored glass lenses, thus attempting curred in comparison with the traflic signal good visibility in bright day light, yetthe lights now in common use. need has continued for some simpler and Adverting to the drawings: more effective means toindicate difi'erent col- Figure 1 is a front elevation of a traffic ors to drivers of vehicles, as well as to pedesregulating device embodying my invention 15 trians, and furthermore to indicate the exact showing illuminated the outer or red one of stage of progress in the changing cycle of red two concentric neonlights as well as the red an green; t e intermittent yellow becoming pointer. abandoned because an unsatisfactory attempt Figure 2 is a view corresponding to Figur to fulfill the desire forreliability for safety. 1 showing the inner or green glowing neon 20 It would be helpful and reassuring for velight and-the green glowing pointer illumihicle drivers when approaching a signal, esnated. pecially on icy or slippery pavements, to Figure .3 is a greatly enlarged section know at all the times how soon the trafiic viewed on line33of Figure 1.

regulating light will change. Likewise pe-l Figure 1 is a horizontal sectional view tak- 5 destrians would be consistently unhesitant en on'line 4-4 of Figure 3 looking downand avoid recklessness in crossing streets if wardly. i they could know whether there was adequate Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view on time remaining for them to cross safely. line 55;of Figure 3.

Devices have been patented consisting of Figure 6is adiagrammaticview of the wirilluminated dials and a movable pointer to ing system. indicate approaching change, but never have igure 7 is a perspective view of a modibeen used to any great extent, supposedly be-. fied duplex and pedestal type of device emcause of their poor visibility or because vabodying my. invention. rious colors and indicators of change were Figure 8 is a broken sectional view of pornot given effectively for long distances and tions of Figure 7 showing interior driving 35 under any weather conditions. mechanism. a

.My invention is known-to comply with the Figure 9 is an end view of the upper por-' aforementioned requirements, i. e., remote tion of Figure 7.

visibility together with an illuminated indi- My improved traflic signal light consists cation of the stage of progress of changing of a case, within which-and near its periphcycles during bright day light as well as at ery, I install a concentric series of neon tubes, night. I have realized that neon lights, or so that they may be seen easily by observers any other cold or hot cathode, gas filled ilon opposite sides. Means are provided for luminating lights, are not onl seen very illuminating one or the other of these tubes clearly at very long distances, but produce with difi'erent colored lights at predeterthis result without the use of expensive remined intervals of time. Where weather fiectors and glass lenses. I discovered that conditions warrant more careful protection movableand illuminated pointers of neon gas of the device, it may be enclosed partly or tubes on a dark field stand out especially entirely with glass or other transparent masharply and clearly and their position is terial.

tubes, which may be made either circular,

as exemplified, or in any desired shape, such as hexagonal or octagonal, on a dark disc,

' is a pointer also consisting of neon ga a' tubes and means provided to rotate it at a predetermined speed, this pointer being associated with electrical contacts to provide for the changing of the pointer from one color to another. One of these composite pointers is rovided for each side of this device.

s exemplified in Figures 1-3 my device may be appropriately hung at a street intersection by means of a cable 1 which is attached to a bracket 2 at the top of an annular frame 3 provided on each of two opposite sides with visors 4 and fashioned interiorly, in spaced relation on opposite sides of the bracket 2, with channels 5 for the reeeption of a pair of transparent glass discs 6. The discs 6 and channels for supporting them are an optional incorporation for protection against inclement weather.

Depending from .a lower margin of the frame 3 is a compartment 7 within which is supported an electric motor 8, which may be subject to regulatory control at a street curbing or pole in the manner already common to the art and therefore not necessary of illustration. The motor shaft 9 enters a housing 10, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, and is therein provided with a worm 11 which meshes with a worm gear 12, which is fixed to a crosswise extending shaft 13 upon which is mounted a bevel pinion 14 meshing with its counterpart 15 secured to the lower end of a vertically extending shaft 16, located in the median plane of the frame 3 and having its upper end rotatable in a suitable bearing of a main central bearing support 17 The upper extremity of the shaft 16 carries a pinion 18 adapted simultaneously to rotate two spaced pinions 19 which are at the inner ends of two stub shafts 20 which are suitably mounted in horizontal bearings formed in the support 17. ,Fixed to outwardly projecting ends of shafts 20 are a pair of opaque plates 21.

Since the construction and arrangement of elements carried by each of the plates 21 are the duplicate of those carried by the other plate, there is no need for employing the plural number and accordingly the parts to by next described are to be considered as duplicated on each of the plates 21 and the singular number will be adopted in the description thereof A pointer 22 projects radially in front of the disc 21 and carries adjacent to the disc 21 a neon or other illuminable gas shape of the hand of the clock. It is also worthy of mention that the outermost or redglowing tube 24 on the pointer 22 will be extinguished just before the green-glowing tube there behind becomes in turn illuminated and that the radiance from the tube 23 is readily transmitted through the tube 24. The inner or opposite side of the plate 21 carries four concentric contact rings of which the outer one has been designated by the numeral 70, the next one by the numeral 25, the next one by the numeral 26 and the inner one by the numeral 27 and it is to be understood that these rings functionate in pairs for the red and green circuits, the two inner ones 26 and 27 serving for the red circuit and the two outer ones 7 O and 25 alternately functioning in unison for the green circuit in the conduction of electric current, as will hereinafter be described.

A circular neon tube 28 adapted to glow red is of somewhat smaller diameter than the diameter of the frame 3 and is attached thereto by four circumferentially arranged resilient insulating supports or clamps 29 which are suitably aifixed to the inner an nular surface of the frame. The two ends 28a of the tube 28 are doubled back at the top of the device, but blackened so as to be opaque, as shown in Figure 5. Inwardly concentric with the glass tube 28 is another green-glowin inwardly pro ecting opaque ends 30a. The glass tube 30 is clamped to the tube 28 by a series of four circumferentially arranged resilient insulating clips 31. The two pairs of opaque ends 28a and 30a of the tubes 28 and 30 are electrically connected withother units, as will be hereinafter described. It is interpolated that it is likewise optional with any municipality to dispense with the two circular tubes 28 and 30 out of consideration of economy, in which case the opaque plates 21 should continue outwardly to meet tho. frame to divide it as a partition.

Directin attention to Figures 4 and 5, it will there observed that the shaft 13 continues across and passed the axis of the shaft 16 and is provided on its opposite end with another beveled pinion 32 which meshes with a beveled gear 32a on a transverse shaft 33 which is suitably mounted in the bearings 33a and 33b, which appear to view in Figure 4. Carried by, so as to turn with, the shaft 33 (see Figures 4 and 5) are: an outer electrical segmental contact 34 which is circularly expansible or contractible by means of the common expedient of a segmental slot 34a and intersecting set screw 346, also an inner electrical segmental contact 35 disposed diametrically opposite and likewise adjustable by means of a slot 35a and slot-intersecting screw 35b. The segment 34 will functionate for the green light circuit and the segment 35 for the red light circuits. An innermost ring 36 is likewise adapted to turn with the shaft 33 and to constitute an electrical common either for the green circuit or for the red circuits. Inspection of Figures 5 and 6 will disclose three brushes 37, 38 and 39 which are adapted to have rubbing contact with the segment 34, segment 35 and neutral ring 36 respectively. The rubbing contact of the brushes 37 and 38 will be intermittent and alternate, each with respect to the func tionating of the other, whereas the rubbing contact of the brush 39 with the ring 36 is necessarily continuous. As will be readily understood, the adjustability (expansion or contraction) of the segments 34 and 35 permits of selectively lengthening or shortening the time periods of illumination of the green and red circuits for purposes of adjustment when the signal unit is installed. The current of the electrical system is to be stepped up from a low potential through a pair of transformers 40 and 41 to a high potential preparatory to energizing the several neon tubes. The transformers 40 and 41 are shown electrically connected in Figures 4 and 6 and may be considered as purposed, the former for the red glowing circuits and the latter for the green glowing circuits.

Attention is now invited to the diagrammatic illustration of Figure 6, where is shown a main cutout switch 42 which-when closed will permit current to flow to each, a motor control 43 and an auxiliary switch 44. The control 43 enables the single phase motor to be controlled as to speed or cutout independently, as for instance when it might be desired to leave the red tubes glowing for a longer period in case of such an emergency as a fire and the attendant privilege of having street intersections cleared for unimpeded passage of the fire department vehicles. As is evident by the inspection of F igure. 6, the switch controls the supply of current .to the electrically operated parts of my traific device. Assuming the switch 44 to be closed the flow of current may be so traced along a lead 45, to the common brush 39, through the common 36, thence to the red-controlling segment 35, through the brush 38 and along the wire 46 to and through the transformer 40, out along a wire 47 to one end 48 of the outer red neon tube 28, around it to its outer end 49, thence along a wire 50 to one of the two rings 26 to continue along the wire.

51 which is connected with the outer end 52 of one of the tubes 24, through it and out along a wire 52 which is connected with one of the inner rings 27' and from 'it along' a wire 54, which leads to the opposite inner ring 27, thence partially along it to a wire 55 connected with the central end of the other red tube 24, through it, out along the wire 56 to the opposite one of the rings 26, from it along the wire 57 to the transformer 40 and from it back to the switch 44 along the wire 58. It is. manifest that the green circuit may be similarly traced if the green seglnent 34, instead of the red segment 35, had been in Figure 6 illustrated to be in contact with its particular brush, the green-glowing circuit thereby closed. It is to be observed also that the color to be shown will change Figures 7, 8 and 9 pertain to a modified form of my invention mounted on a pedestal 59 which supports two duplex indicating devices 60 and 61 in superposed position and facing in relatlve transverse dlrections.

The length of either segment may be alteredin inverse proportion to the alterable speed of rotation of the pointer. With such an arrangement a longer shaft 62 is substituted for the shaft 16 so that it is continuant upwardy beyond the two s aced pinions 19 between which it passes to e provided at its top, just below the center of the device 61, with a second pinion 63 for driving a pair of beveled gears 64, similar to the gear 19, only one of the gears 64 being shown in Figure 8, on crosswise extending shafts 65 which early at their two opposite ends pointers 66, each of which will be turned in a clockwise direction, as possible of being viewed when the device is assembled for use.

These changes may be made simultaneously with corresponding changes in color of the concentric neon gas tubes, so that, for instance, during the time when the tubes show red light, the pointers would make a comp'ete revolution (360)- like a clock hand, showing the same red color. When reaching the zenith, the pointers, as well as the tubes, may both be changed from red to green, or to any other desired color.

It will be evident that three or any number of indicating devices, greater than two may be superposed, for those cases where traflic is to be directed in more than two directions to achieve cyclical switch of color.

Numerous alterations in the timing of the different functions of this apparatus are possible. For instance, in somecases, it may be desirable to change the color of the pointer from green to red or amber or any other desirable color, before it reaches the zenith osition, as an indication to pedestrians that 5 it is too late to start to cross the thorofare. The operation may also be arranged to stop all pointers when they reach the zenith position and turn red and also, to turn all concentric tubes red, to stop all traific for a few seconds in order to provide time to clear the intersection. These are only a few of. the modifications which may be made in the operation and timing of this device and it will be very evident, that this invention is adapted to a wide range of modifications hence very flexibe in this respect and that it can satisfy the varied requirements of many selectable trafiic controls.

My traflic regulating device will allow indication of approaching changes without great necessit of educating the public, in other words, the interpretation of indication is simpleand obedience to traflic regulation can be more easily enforced and traific fatalities therefore more easily avoided.

In the preferred form of this device, as described, there is only one series of enclosing neon tubesfor both ways and one dark disc and pointer for each direction. With on top or at the bottom of the first device, one may regulate traflic when the device is installed in the center of a cross-road street intersection and thegrotating pointers facing the street with expectably more trafiic may readily be contrived to travel faster.

Sub-division of this unit or a plurality of a whole unit or parts of it, can easily be arranged to answer any individual traffic regulating problem.

The pointers are rotated by a shaft driven by a motor and reducing gear mechanism in the case itself. It is very simpe therefore to arrange other combinations for instance,

for diagonal street intersections, (other than 90), or for more than four-way intersections.

The driving motor may either be one of standard type, or one with a speed regulating mechanism, controlled from a box on the curb or with a clock and makeand-break switches in the control box so as to give electric impulses to the driving motor in the case at various time intervals. There may also be employed so-called Sel-Syn motors, self synchronizing motors (manufactured by the General Electric Co.) so that the speed of the driving motor may be easily'controlled from the other parts of this device to be housed in a box at the curb of the street, or at a central point or any other point. This allows quick changes of regulation of traflic at various street intersections according to the municipal demand, which may change (3 frequently.

another device of the same type and mounted I do not wish. to be limited to a single tube for each-of the concentric tubes, as two ormore turns of a tube or two or more separate tubes functioning as one, might be desirable in some installations. It should also be pointed out that in the broader aspects of this invention, the neon tubes need not be parting from the broad intended scope of.

my invention.

It is to be realized that the scope of my invention comprehends many equivalent constructions. The showing of the drawings and the particular description are merely specific exemplifications of a plurality of mechanical embodiments and arrangements.-

. Iclaim:

1. In a traffic regulating device, a pointer rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis and comprising a plurality of gas tube lights of difi'erent colors and each conforming to the shape of said pointer, and means adapted alternately to energize said gas tube lights whenever the pointer is directed toward the zenith and cyclically to maintain them illuminated.

2. In a trailic regulating device, the combination of a clockwise rotatable pointer adapted for illumination in different colors, a pair of illuminable lights of different color concentrically surrounding the path of movement of said pointer,- means for rotating said pointer and automatically operating means controlled by said first mentioned means for periodically illuminating said surrounding lights and the different colors of said pointer each alternately upon every complete rotation of said pointer.

3; In a trafiic regulating device, the combination of a clockwise rotatable pointer, distinct elongated lights of different color and each adapted to illuminate the entire length of said pointer, said lights being intended to indicate trafiic stop and trafiic go respectively, means for rotating said pointer and automatically operating means controlled by said first mentioned means for cyclically illuminating said lights of different color of said pointer each alternately upon every complete rotation of said pointer.

4. A trafiic regulating device comprising a pointer adapted to rotate about a substantially horizontal axis, said pointer comprising a pair of adjacent illuminable gas tubes adapted to show different colors to indicate trafiic stop and go respectively and means for alternately illuminating said tubes and maintaining them illuminated during each complete turn of said pointer through an arc of 360 degrees.

5. A trafiic regulating device comprising in combination, a pair of red and green traffic controlling lights to indicate traflic stop and go, respectively, means adapted to illuminate said lights at predetermined time intervals for the routine control of trafiic, a pointer rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis, traflic controlling lights on said pointer corresponding to the first named light means for rotating said pointer, and

means adapted to control the illumination of said pointer in synchronism with the 11- lumination of one of said traffic control lights, said last mentioned means being auto- 15 matically operated whenever said pointer reaches its zenith-designating position.

6. A traific regulating device comprising a plurality of looped illuminable gas tubes to indicate traffic stop and go respectively, in combination with arotatably mounted pointer enclosed by said looped tubes and likewise com rising illuminable gas tubes ,to indicate traiiic stop and go respectively, means for effecting a clockwise 5 turning movement of said pointer and means for energlzingone looped tube and one corcate traflic go, mechanism for rotating said pointer and means for illuminating one lamp for one revolution of the pointer while the other lamp is extinguished and then illuminating the other lamp during the next succeeding revolution of the pointer while the first lamp is extinguished,

8. A trafiic regulating device comprising the combination of a pointer adapted for clockwise rotation, said pointer having a red illuminable gas tube thereon to indicate traffic stop and having a green illuminable gas tube thereon to indicate traflic go, mechanism for turning said pointer and means automatically operated by said mechanism for energizing the red tube during one bination of a clockwise rotatable pointer,

cycle of the pointer while the green is deenergized and then energizing the green tube for the next succeedin cycle of the pointer while the red tube is eenergized.

9. In a traflic regulating device, the comdifierently colored electrical lights carried by said pointer and adapted for illumination a ong substantially the entire length thereof, means for rotating said pointer in a substantially vertical plane, and electrical mechanism connected with said means and automatically operated thereby at predetermined time intervals for alternately energizing one of said colored lights whenever the pointer reaches its zenith-designating position and maintaining said illumination during one complete rotation of said pointer preparator to switching to illumination of the other ligli t at the next zenith-designating position of the pointer.

10. A trafli'c regulating device comprising a pair of illuminable gas tubes of different color to indicate trafiic stop and trafiic go, respectively, a rotatable pointer carrying said tubes and means for rotating said pointer and for alternately illuminating said tubes, and maintaining the illumination of one tube during each 360 turning move ment of said pointer while the other is deenergized.

11. In a trafiic regulating device, a pointer, means for slowly rotating said pointer, electrical illuminating means mounted on said pointer and illuminating substantially its entire extent for the routine control of traffic when energized and means for cyclically energizing said illuminating means during predetermined extents of angular movements of said pointer. I

12. In a traffic regulating device, circular illumination means, a pointer, means for slowly rotating said pointer, radially of said circular illumination means, electrical illuminating means mounted on said pointer and illuminating substantially its entire extent for the routine control of traflic when energized and. means for cyclically energizing both of said illuminating means during predetermined extents of angular movements of said pointer.

13. In a traflic regulating device a air of circular illumination means adapte to i l lumination in red and green respectively, a pointer, means for slowly rotatin said pointer, a pair of electrical illum nating means mounted on said pointer and each'illuminating substantially its entire extent in red and green colors respectively for the routine control of traflic when energized and means for alternately energizing pairs of said illuminating means of like color during predetermined extents of angular movements of said pointer. I

14. In a trafiic signal for preindicating approaching change of signal, the combination of electrical red illuminable means for indicating trafiic stop and electrical green illuminable means for indicating trafiic go, both of said illuminable means being 1 adapted to function in clockwise progression for denoting lapse of a predetermined measure of time, together with mechanism for energizing the red illuminable means during the range of its arcuate progression and for simultaneously deenergizing the green illuminable means, said mechanism being further more adapted alternately to energize said red and green illuminable means within their prescribed arcuate ranges, and a pair 

